A Night to Remember in Dayton

Dayton is an easy two-hour drive from Indy, but due to road construction, it took an extra half hour. I grew up near Dayton, and Dayton was never a nice city in my mind. Every big city has its bad areas, but Dayton seemed to have more than its share. I am happy to report that Dayton is making a comeback. Day Air Ballpark is in a section of Dayton off Webster Street that has not been desirable to go to after dark. That is changing! I am happy to see that. The Park allegedly has a capacity of 8,200 fans, but there weren’t anywhere near that number there on Thursday night.

Day Air Ballpark was officially named the Best Single-A Ballpark in America by Newsweek in the 2025 Fans’ Choice Awards! It was extremely nice, but I believe that Parkview Field in Ft. Wayne is at least it’s equal.

At any rate, it was a great experience except for the outcome: The Loons were beaten like a rented mule by the Dragons. This is what happens after the final out:

So, I got the most expensive tickets available: 2nd Row, behind the Loons’ dugout, a whopping $20 each! Three beers, three brats, and three peanuts were $72.00 (it would have been $160 in LA). In the second inning, it became apparent that the man sitting right behind us was a very knowledgeable Dodger fan. He was there with his wife. It turns out that he is, and has been, the Loons’ bus driver for 19 years. He goes to every road game, and they put him up in their hotel. His wife drives her car and goes as well. What a gig!

Between innings, another Dodger fan with an Ohtani jersey and a Dodger hat on came to my seat and said, “You are Mark Timmons, aren’t you? I read the blog every day.” I remembered him, but his moniker escapes me at this second. The bus driver and I had a running monologue through the entire game. He’s not a scout or a front office guy, but he is around these guys every day. He understands their character and drive. Here are a few takeaways:

• They love Alex Freeland. He is a legend in Great Lakes. “A manager on the field.” If the team is going poorly or players aren’t hustling or executing, Alex was in their grill. He is a ballplayer who makes everyone around him better. He could not stop raving about how Freeland was so well-liked and how he pushed everyone to do better. Of course, he can’t do it in MLB right about now, but his “intangibles” are off the chart. For a kids who was not expected to walk, he has exceeded all expectations. Don’t sleep on Alex Freeland.
• Josue DePaula is supremely talented, but his work ethic could be better. If he can improve that, the sky is the limit. Read into that exactly what you are thinking.
• Dalton Rushing has anger-control issues.
• Justin Wrobleski is laser-focused. He won’t be denied!
• “Diego Cartaya was a wonderful kid – he just wasn’t good.”
• Mike Sirota “has figured out hitting“.
• “In 19 years, not one Dodger player has ever disrespected me, and after a bad day, the bus driver might be an easy target. It never happened. The Dodgers have wonderful players.” Well, the guy had arms the size of tree trunks and was built like a lumberjack- I wouldn’t mess with him either!
• In Clayton Kershaw‘s first game, he forgot his glove, cleats, and some other stuff, and the bus driver had to run back to the hotel to get it. He said that from day one, you could see that he was special.

As I mentioned, the game was a debacle. Poor play, even poorer execution.

• The box score said there was just one error by the Loons, but I counted at least five!
• Davalan is talented and hits the ball with authority. He is a keeper. I see him as a 4th or 5th outfielder.
• Quintero has not yet displayed power (he’s just 19), but his bat is extremely quick… as in very extremely quick. He doesn’t run – he glides! He is a spooky-good talent. Wait until he gets his “man strength.”
• 1B Jose E. Hernandez is 23 and can’t catch a ball. He’s just a placeholder.
• Logan Wagner was injured and did not play, but the bus driver said that he is a stud and has thunder in his bat. Additionally, “he is a wonderful kid.”
• Yean can hit 105 MPH – we saw 103, but he can’t throw strikes. In one inning, we saw 31 pitches – 18 for strikes. And… he misses by “feet” not inches.

MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS

OKC Comets 6 – Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Houston) 1

This game started as a pitcher’s duel, but OKC put up 4 in the 8^th to take control.

LHSP Logan Allen started for OKC.  He allowed a single and 2 BB to the first three batters he faced.  He struck out 2 of the next 3 batters, but one of the hitters hit a ground ball force out that plated Sugar Land’s first run.

In the 2^nd, the Comets’ 3B Ryan Fitzgerald hit his 5^th HR of the season to tie the score.

Ryan Fitzgerald goes deep to tie the game☄️

His fifth homer of the year comes against a rehabbing Hunter Brown for the Comets' first run! pic.twitter.com/UTeq69zWZN

— Oklahoma City Comets (@OKC_comets) May 30, 2026

The game stayed tied until the 7^th when Ryan Fitzgerald hit his 2^nd HR (6) of the game taking a 2-1 lead.

Ryan Fitzgerald: 2
Sugar Land: 1

Fourth career two-homer game for Fitzgerald gives the Comets the lead! pic.twitter.com/u3QH94QyBC

— Oklahoma City Comets (@OKC_comets) May 30, 2026

OKC seemingly put it away in the 8^th.  C Chuckie Robinson tripled (2) and scored on a sac fly from 1B Seby Zavala. CF Zach Ehrhard drew a BB. James Tibbs III entered as a PH for DH Tommy Edman and hit a 2-run HR (15).  Then the other Fitzgerald, LF Tyler Fitzgerald, hit a HR (6) for the final run of the game.

The definition of a pinch hitter!

James Tibbs III comes off the bench to hit homer No. 15 on the year☄️ pic.twitter.com/5rMnRgRNJK

— Oklahoma City Comets (@OKC_comets) May 30, 2026

https://twitter.com/OKC_comets/status/2060546312760680715?s=20

Allen was lifted after 5.0 innings in favor of RHRP Carlos Duran.  Duran pitched a perfect 2.0 innings with 3 K.

RHRP Chayce McDermott was brought in for the 8^th.  The first batter he faced lined it up the middle and McDermott was injured.  RHRP Wyatt Mills entered for the injured McDermott and retired the side with 1 K.

RHRP Keynan Middleton was brought in the 9^th to close it out and he did with a perfect inning with 2 K.

• Ryan Fitzgerald – 2-3, 1 BB, 2 runs, 2 RBI, 2 HR (6)
• Tyler Fitzgerald – 1-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (6)
• James Tibbs III – 1-1, 1 run, 3 RBI, HR (15)
• Chuckie Robinson – 1-4, 1 run, triple (2)

Tommy Edman went 1-3 on the night, and is now 4-9 in his rehab games.

Box Score

Tulsa Drillers 4 – NW Arkansas Naturals (KC) 3 – Game 1 – 7 Innings

RHSP Payton Martin allowed 2 singles to lead off the game.  A force out put runners on 1^st and 3^rd, and a sac fly gave the Naturals the 1-0 lead.

Tulsa came back with solo runs in the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th innings to take a 3-1 lead.  In the 2^nd, C Griffin Lockwood-Powell homered (5) to tie the score.  In the 3^rd, SS Elijah Hainline (7) hit a HR to give Tulsa the lead.  In the 4^th, GLP hit his 2^nd HR (6) of the game.

https://twitter.com/TulsaDrillers/status/2060489696665378863?s=20

Lucky number 7 for Hainline ☘️ pic.twitter.com/m6zveoD67m

— Tulsa Drillers (@TulsaDrillers) May 29, 2026

With Payton Martin still pitching in the 5^th, he surrendered a game tying 2-run HR.

LHRP Christian Suarez pitched a scoreless 6^th and 7^th inning, although with some stress.

With two outs in the 7^th, RF Zyhir Hope and 3B Kyle Nevin both singled.  GLP doubled (7) to score Hope with the walk-off win.

• Griffin Lockwood-Powell – 3-4, 3 runs, 3 RBI, double (7), 2 HR (6)
• Zyhir Hope – 2-4, 1 run
• Elijah Hainline – 1-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (7)

Box Score

Tulsa Drillers 2 – NW Arkansas Naturals (KC) 0 – Game 2 – 7 Innings

This was an absolutely brilliantly pitched game for Tulsa.  RHSP Peter Heubeck started and got up to 3.0 IP.  He allowed a 2-out single in the 2^nd, and that was it.  He struck out 6 and did not walk a batter.

RHRP Carson Hobbs retired all 6 batters he faced.  RHRP Kelvin Ramirez pitched the final 2.0 innings for his 3^rd save.  He hit a batter for just the 2^nd runner to reach base against Tulsa pitchers in the 2^nd game.  One hit, 0 BB, and 1 HBP, 8 K.

In the Tulsa 3^rd, DH Josue De Paula doubled (16), RF Mike Sirota singled him to 3^rd, and LF Zyhir Hope hit a sac fly for a run.

In the 6^th, SS Elijah Hainline singled, stole 2^nd, went to 3^rd on a ground out, and scored on 2B Jake Gelof’s sac fly.

• Mike Sirota – 2-3
• Elijah Hainline – 2-3, 1 run

Box Score

Great Lakes Loons 7 – Dayton Dragons (Reds) 3

In the 2^nd inning for Great Lakes, with one out, LF Kole Myers drew a BB.  2B Nico Perez singled, and after the 2^nd out, 3B Jose Izarra was HBP to load the bases.  1B Jose D. Hernandez and CF Eduardo Quintero walked to give the Loons a 2-0 lead.  SS Emil Morales then hit a bases clearing double (2) for a 5-run 2^nd inning.

#Dodgers top prospect Emil Morales unloads the bases with a three run double. GL 5 NWA 0 pic.twitter.com/3iEIQstvcH

— Dodgers_After_Duty (@msalas24) May 29, 2026

RHSP Christian Zazueta ran into trouble in the 3^rd.  He allowed a 2-run HR, a triple and groundout for 3 Dragon runs.  That was all Dayton was to get.

Zazueta would only complete 4.1 innings.  His strikeout pitch was not working, but his excellent control was working for him in this one.  He struck out just 2, but did not walk anyone.

RHRP Alex Makarewich followed Zazueta and he faced 5 batters, retiring each of them, 4 with a strikeout.  After a very rough start, Makarewich is rounding into a quality reliever.  On May 12, Makarewich’s  ERA was 5.40.  In his next 5 games, 8.0 IP, Makarewich has not allowed a run, given up 3 hits, 3 BB, and struck out 14.

RHRP Nicolas Cruz and LHRP Matt Lanzendorfer completed the final 3.0 scoreless innings.  Combined they allowed 1 hit, 0 BB, and 4 K.  As a team, the Loons DID NOT ALLOW A BB.

RF Jose Meza homered (7) in the 6^th.  In the 9^th, GL scored a 7^th run. Izarra singled and stole 2^nd, and Hernandez walked.  A WP put runners on 2^nd and 3^rd.  When Quintero walked, Ball 4 was another WP scoring Izarra for the 7^th run.

• Eduardo Quintero – 2-3, 2 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI
• Nico Perez – 2-4, 1 run
• Jose Meza – 1-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (7)
• Emil Morales – 1-5. 3 RBI, double (2)

After a very slow start to 2026, Quintero has been very hot for the month of May. For May, in 81 PA, Quintero is slashing .358/.469/.448/.917.  He also stole 15 bases with just 1 caught stealing. 

Box Score

Visalia Rawhide (Dbacks) 14 – Ontario Tower Buzzers 11  

This was not pitcher’s duel.  It started out well for Ontario.  RHSP Mason Estrada retired the side in order in the 1^st.  In the bottom of the 1^st, 2B Kellen Lindsey walked, stole 2^nd, and went to 3^rd on F7.  RF Jaron Elkins was HBP and stole 2^nd.  Lindsey scored and Elkins to 3^rd on a ground out.  Elkins scored on CF Landyn Vidourek’s double (5).

Visalia started a run of scoring in 5 straight innings off Estrada and RHRP Jose Cabrera.  Visalia scored 4 in the 5^th and took a commanding 8-2 lead.  In 4.1 IP, Estrada allowed 5 runs on 6 hits and 2 BB.  In 1.1 IP, Cabrera allowed 4 runs (2 earned) on 3 hits and 2 BB.

In the bottom of the 5^th, Ontario scored 4.  LF Ching-Hsien Ko walked and 1B Easton Shelton followed with a single.  A balk moved the runners to 2^nd and 3^rd, and Vidourek walked to load the bases.  With one out, C Francisco Espinoza walked to bring home Ko.  Shelton scored on a balk, and Vidourek and Espinoza to 3^rd and 2^nd.  Both runners scored on a catcher’s throwing error on a pickoff attempt.

Visalia got the 9^th run in the 6^th on Cabrera’s throwing error.  RHRP Jhonny Jimenez relieved Cabrera to finish the inning.

Ontario scored a pair in the 6^th.  Elkins drew a BB and Ko singled, sending Elkins to 3^rd.  Ko stole 2^nd followed by a BB to Shelton to load the bases.  Elkins scored on a force out with Ko taking 3^rd.  Ko scored on a bal.

In the 7^th, 2B Joendry Vargas singled and scored ahead of Elkins 2-run HR (7), giving Ontario a 10-9 lead.

JARON ELKINS DOES IT AGAIN!

After leading off with a home run last night, Elkins now launched a two-run go-ahead bomb for his seventh of the season.

Easily one of my favorite outfielders in the system right now. pic.twitter.com/Oswr23knZb

— DodgersLite (@dodgerslite) May 30, 2026

RHRP Jecsua Liborius gave up the tying run in the 9^th on a 2-out WP.  In the 10^th, the placed runner scored on a WP and balk.  Then the inning got away from Ontario.  The Rawhide scored 4 runs in the 10^th.

In the bottom of the 10^th, DH Brendan Tunink the placed runner scored on a pair of ground balls.

Joendry Vargas was the only Ontario batter with 2 hits.

Kellon Lindsey went the other way for his third double of the season. pic.twitter.com/HxPFTc2ctH

— DodgersLite (@dodgerslite) May 30, 2026

Box Score

ACL White Sox 6 – ACL Dodgers 3

DH Aidan West slugged a 3-run HR for the Dodgers 3 runs.

The White Sox hit 3 HR accounting for 5 of the 6 runs.

Box Score